Patricia Jackson builds second act on faith and fresh beginnings

By the time Patricia Jackson lost the career she loved, she had already spent years unknowingly preparing for the next chapter.

For more than eight years, Jackson worked in healthcare leadership, helping others and building a career she never expected to leave behind. But in October 2025, organizational restructuring eliminated her position, forcing her into an unexpected crossroads that many professionals over 50 know all too well.

“It still hurts,” Jackson said. “You kind of feel like this isn’t going to last forever because of different environmental changes and policy changes, but it still stung.” 

Her final day on the job carried an emotional twist. It also happened to be Nov. 8, 2025, the day her daughter got married.

“It was one ending and one beginning,” she reflected. “With one ending, there are new beginnings.” 

Rather than dwell on what she’d lost, Jackson leaned into something that had quietly been growing in the background for years.

She had always enjoyed creating elaborate charcuterie boards for family gatherings and friends.

“So, initially I started making them for friends and family for free,” she said. “Then I started trying to get a little bit more creative, and I said, ‘This is something I actually enjoy doing.'”

What began as a hobby slowly became a passion.

“When the position got eliminated, I decided to make this a full-time career,” she said. “It came out of a hobby, then it became a passion, and now it’s a career.” 

That career is now Board Affairs Charcuterie, a Houston-based luxury grazing company specializing in beautifully curated charcuterie boards, grazing tables, workshops, wine pairings, weddings, corporate events, and celebrations of every kind.

A luxury experience, not just a meal

Ask Jackson what Board Affairs sells, and she won’t start by talking about cheese. She talks about connection.

“We specialize in creating luxury grazing experiences that bring people together,” she said. “At the end of the day, I’m not just creating charcuterie boards. I’m creating experiences that help people slow down, enjoy the moment, and make memories together.”

Every board is carefully crafted using premium meats, cheeses, fresh fruit, edible flowers, and thoughtful presentation.

“Fresh matters and taste matters,” Jackson explained while assembling one of her signature boards. “If I wouldn’t eat it, I wouldn’t serve it. We always try to make sure we give people something they’d be proud to serve to their own family.” 

Attention to detail is everything.

“The key to me is that everything has to be fresh,” she said. “We prep the night before, everything is secured and refrigerated, and you get it within 12 hours of us making it.” 

She even grows edible flowers in her own garden to elevate the presentation.

Starting over at 57

Launching a business later in life wasn’t without challenges.

Jackson suddenly found herself learning everything from food safety regulations and licensing to bookkeeping, insurance, website development, pricing, marketing, and social media.

“I often joke that I went from being an executive leader to being the CEO, marketing department, delivery driver, customer service representative, and dishwasher all at the same time,” she said.

The Houston market also presented fierce competition.

“It’s Houston,” she said. “There’s a lot of people in business. There’s a lot of people turning their side hustle into a profession.”

On top of that, luxury grazing isn’t considered a necessity.

“This is a luxury,” she said. “You have to sell this as a luxury, and everybody can’t afford that right now.” 

Still, she refuses to compromise on quality.

“Everything has to be right. Everything has to be fresh. Everything has to be unique.”

Faith, family, and the courage to leap

Throughout every challenge, Jackson credits one person for helping her believe the dream was possible: Her husband, Rick.

“He always tells me, ‘Don’t worry. We got this,'” Jackson said. “He’s always encouraging me. He helps with deliveries, setup, logistics… whatever needs to be done.”

Rick has even developed his own specialty inside the business.

“I’ve become the meat designer,” Rick said. “But my greatest joy comes from watching my wife walk in her passion.” 

Patricia also draws inspiration from television journalist Robin Roberts.

“She said, ‘Let your mess be your message,'” Jackson said. “Well, that’s the mess, and this is the message.” 

She also believes life sometimes nudges people toward their purpose.

“I listen to Steve Harvey,” she said. “‘Either you jump, or you get pushed.’ I wanted to jump on my own terms, but I got pushed a little quicker than I expected.” 

Building community one board at a time

Board Affairs has already partnered with local businesses, HOA communities, wineries, and nonprofits.

One organization especially close to Jackson’s heart is Ballard House, a nonprofit that provides temporary housing for patients traveling to Houston for medical treatment.

“If you’re going to be able to do something, you need to give back,” she said. 

Looking ahead, Jackson hopes Board Affairs grows beyond Houston.

“I hope it blows up to the point where we have to bring on staff,” she said. “I hope we’re able to take this to other cities after we establish ourselves.”

Eventually, she’d also like to teach others how to build their own businesses.

“I want people to know it’s never too late to start over,” Jackson said. “Even though I’m 57 and will be 58 this year, it’s never too late.” 

Relationships first

Jackson says one of the greatest lessons she’s learned is that business is built on relationships.

“The best networking happens when you’re genuinely interested in people, not just what they can do for you,” she said.

Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple.

“Don’t be afraid to reach out. Most people are more willing to help than we think.”

For Jackson, networking isn’t about collecting contacts.

“At the end of the day, networking is really just building community,” she said. “None of us gets where we are alone.”

Visit https://www.boardaffairstx.com